does anybody know of any snakes that are new to the hobby? i think it would be fun to get into a snake that everybody doesnt have. what would be a good candidate for this?
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snakes that are new to the hobby?
the-mikester
Apr 14, 2004 12:40 AM
Replies (3)
Paul Hollander
Apr 15, 2004 02:12 PM
You won't have much success getting your chosen species if nobody has any. 
So they have to be available but not commonly kept for one reason or another.
Boehlen's python, Angolan python, Argentine rainbow boa, Cuban boa, woma, and blackheaded python are possibilities. Be prepared to lay out hundreds to thousands of dollars and even get an endangered species permit. The rainbow is likely to be the easiest to get.
IMHO, the royal diadem rat snake, Sphalerosophis diadema atriceps (spelling?), would be an excellent choice. Other Colubrids include the spilotes, yellowtailed cribo, and blacktailed cribo. These three are big, active, nervous snakes, so be warned.
Water snakes (Nerodia sp.) are relatively easy to get. N. fasciata is underappreciated, IMHO. African house snakes are getting more common in captivity, but they should be on your list. You might also consider the Mexican bullsnake, Pituophis deppei.
Happy herping.
Paul Hollander
meretseger
Apr 17, 2004 07:27 AM
As a really odd coincidence, Mueller's sand boa was first bred in captivity in 2000, and isn't really that hard to keep, even wild caught ones. I mean, I wouldn't recommend them for a beginner, but someone with a little experience could manage them easily. They're not exactly Miss Personality, though.
Most Asian ratsnakes, while not new the the hobby, are really underappreciated. If you get an Asian ratsnake, there's a good chance you'll be the only person you know with one.
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Eryx - All the fun of a boa in a convenient pocket size!
rearfang
Apr 17, 2004 01:41 PM
You can go for rare or...rarely seen.
South Florida mole Kings are a very rare little snake that has only been known to science since 1987.
Thrasops jacksoni has been well known but rarely seen. Black, big, beautiful and smell of Licorice (Not Kidding).
Haitian dwarf Boas are making a comeback after decades of CITES restriction (the only good thing that came out of Haiti getting a new government.
Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."
